Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for an electro-optical distance measurement in which a laser beam of a laser diode (1) is directed as an intensity modulated train of emitted light pulses onto an object, the reflected measurement pulse train (10) is detected by a light detector (6), which generates, in response to the detection of a measurement pulse train, a first photo-current component, a smaller portion of the intensity modulated pulse train is branched out as a reference pulse train and, after passing a known reference path, is also detected by the light detector (6), which generates in response to this detection a second photo current component, and the light detector converts the measurement pulses, together with a mixer pulse train generated by a local oscillator, into a comparatively low-frequency IF-region that determines, after a corresponding conversion, the measured distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating charge from a light pulse. In one example, a light sensor includes an active region for generating an electric charge in response to a light pulse. A drift region is formed within a substrate and receives the electric charge from the light sensor. A spatial charge distribution is produced within the drift region in response to an electric field. The drift region includes an outer edge and an inner edge. The volume of the drift region decreases from the outer edge to the inner edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a position detection device having a function of an electronic shutter. The position detection device is devised to perform the following: a light sending means sends out emitted light, which comes from a light emitting means, to a target object; a two-dimensional light receiving means receives reflected light coming from the target object, and converts the reflected light into an electric charge; and an arithmetic processing means determines a position of the target object on the basis of a light receiving signal from the two-dimensional light receiving means. In addition, the two-dimensional light receiving means has a function of an electronic shutter for discharging an accumulated electric charge in order to adjust the quantity of received light. Moreover, the arithmetic processing means can drive the light emitting means within a period of time during which the electronic shutter is stopped and the two-dimensional light receiving means is accumulating an electric charge.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a light source irradiating a pulsed light beam, which is reflected by a measurement subject to generate a reflected light beam pulse. In a first distance information sensing operation, a first reflected light component (E1), which corresponds to a distance from the device to the measurement subject and contains a fall of said reflected light beam pulse, is sensed. In a second distance information sensing operation, a second reflected light component (E2), which corresponds to the distance and containing a rise of the reflected light beam pulse, is sensed. The lengths of periods for sensing the reflected light components are identical. A normalized distance information is obtained by calculating (E1)/(E2).

Abstract: An imaging system and method. The invention provides an intra-pulse repetition interval (PRI) agile beam technique for enhanced resolution that can be used at aspect angles near the velocity vector of a host vehicle. It is particularly useful at small scan angles where beam sharpening array times become large. At these scan angles, the bandwidth of the clutter is narrower than at higher scan angles and allows large PRIs without degradation from Doppler ambiguities. In accordance with the present teachings, sequential illumination is performed within a PRI to multiple beam locations using an agile beam. The interleaving of beams reduces map formation times compared to conventional techniques using sequential arrays. The inventive system is adapted for use with an electronically scanned (e.g., synthetic aperture array radar) antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to a target object also its shape precisely without influence of noise, which is applied to a invader monitoring system. This apparatus comprises a clock signal generator unit, a modulated light projector unit, a light receiver unit, and a demodulator unit, and obtains a range image presenting signal levels changing according to the distances to the objects including the target object by irradiating light onto the objects and receiving reflected light. In the demodulator unit, the range image is processed for evaluating and removing noise components, for interpolating and averaging noise removed region, and for selecting the target object region. Those processes are carried out from the following point of view, the variation of the distance signal levels, the received quantity of light, and the variation of the received quantity of light.

Abstract: A method for guiding an intercepting missile to a body-to-body contact with an airborne target in the atmosphere. The method includes the steps of guiding the intercepting missile to within an appropriate distance from the airborne target, illuminating the airborne target, using an illuminator carried by the intercepting missile, acquiring an image of the illuminated airborne target and, steering the missile in accordance with an aimpoint on the image.

Abstract: A coarse measuring circuit measures an approximate measurement object time DU based on a first reference clock CK10. The approximate measurement object time represents a duration from a measurement start time to an input time of measurement object pulse PBr. A fine measuring circuit, cooperating with the coarse measuring circuit and using a shorter reference time, measures a time difference between a change point of the first reference clock CK10 and the input time of measurement object pulse PBr as a correction time DD of the approximate measurement object time DU, thereby obtaining a precise measurement objet time DT.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for measuring water current direction and magnitude. A plurality of beams of radiation are transmitted radially outward from a location above a body of water. Each beam is incident on the water's surface at an angle with respect thereto. Each beam experiences a Doppler shift as a result of being incident on the water's surface such that a plurality of Doppler shifts are generated. Each Doppler shift is measured with the largest one thereof being indicative of water current direction and magnitude.

Abstract: An incoherent ladar transmitter (12) adapted for use with synthetic aperture processing. The system (12) includes a first mechanism (44, 48, 50) for generating a laser beam (18). A second mechanism (44, 68) records phase information pertaining to the laser beam (18) and subsequently transmits the laser beam (18) from the system in response thereto. A third mechanism (40) receives a reflected version (20) of the laser beam and provides a received signal in response thereto. A fourth mechanism (72) corrects the received signal based on the phase information recorded by the second mechanism (44, 68). In a more specific embodiment, the ladar system (12) includes a synthetic aperture processor (46) for correcting the received signal based on the phase information and providing a corrected laser signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A method and system of combining gated intensifiers and advances in solid-state, short-pulse laser technology, compact systems capable of producing high resolution (i.e., approximately less than 20 centimeters) optical images through a scattering medium such as dense clouds, fog, smoke, etc. may be achieved from air or ground based platforms. Laser target designation through a scattering medium is also enabled by utilizing a short pulse illumination laser and a relatively minor change to the detectors on laser guided munitions.

Abstract: A multi-axis laser scanner and receiver capable of providing laser scanning in multiple fields of view using a microscanner and a fold mirror with a patterned aperture. The fold mirror has a transmissive central region and a periphery that is reflective. Such scanners can be employed in a helicopter to scan in the forward field of view for obstacle detection, and in an upward field of view for air data measurements. Additional fields of view can be added, for example, to provide downward scans to detect height above terrain and ground speed.

Abstract: A laser range signal-processing device comprises a timing interval generator, a microprocessor unit, a programmable delay unit, a laser transmitter, a laser receiver, a high gain amplifier circuit and a memory. A signal-processing method of the laser range finder includes a first step in which the measurement block number and the laser emission time are set up. Thereafter, the sampling of the laser reflection signal of each block is done in sequence so as to determine a block in which an object is located. A laser beam of a predetermined delay time is emitted to the block in which the object is located. The reflective laser signals are sampled and processed to attain a precise distance between the laser range finder and the object.

Abstract: A distance measuring equipment and method that measures a distance to an object with high accuracy regardless of the reflectivity of the object is disclosed. The distance measuring equipment includes a transmitter for transmitting pulsed light to the outside, a receiver for receiving the pulsed light reflected by an object in the outside and performing photoelectric conversion and a measuring portion for measuring a time period from the transmission time point of the pulsed light to the reception time point of the reflected light so as to output data of the distance to the object. The measuring portion periodically samples the electric signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion of the receiver and memorize plural instantaneous values at plural time points.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus has a light sending unit for sending pulsed light into a ranging optical path, a photodetective element for receiving pulse light reflected, and a signal processing section for measuring a period between The time of sending and the time of reception, the signal processing section determines whether to apply a first state in which one reflected pulsed beam is detected in response to the sending of the pulsed light or a second state in which two reflected pulsed beams are detected in response to the sending of the pulsed light. The signal processing section measures a period from the time of sending to reception of the first reflected pulsed beam in the first state, while the signal processing section measures a period from the time of sending to reception of the second reflected pulsed beam in the second state.